Posts Tagged ‘bmw detroit’

It’s getting to be more and more of a challenge keeping up with the expanding line-up at BMW, but at least there’s a logic to the maker’s madness as it rolls out a modified nomenclature strategy that is far easier to follow than some of its competitors’ alphanumeric offerings.

The worldwide launch of the new 2-Series coupe comes as BMW shifts to even numbers for its 2-door models, whether coupes or convertibles, with sedans sticking with odd numbers. The new 2-Series was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show, which also staged the world debuts of the M3 and M4 models and the 4 Series Convertible.

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With the 2-Series BMW hopes to tap the interest of the Millennial generation, a cohort of young buyers who have so far been less than friendly to automobiles, many waiting much longer than in decades past to even get their driver’s licenses. The hope is that sporty and relatively affordable models like the new M235i might finally start drawing them into showrooms.

BMW's long-awaited 4-Series will debut in concept form at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show.

Just when you might have thought there’d be no more opportunities to flesh out the BMW line-up, the Bavarian maker has come up with another white space to fill – with the long-awaited BMW Concept 4-Series.

Don’t worry, it won’t remain in show car form for long. Spinning off from the 3-Series sedan line, the new BMW 4-Series will include both Coupe and Cabriolet models when the production version reaches showrooms next year. The move echoes the strategy of rival Mercedes-Benz which adopted the CLK designation for its C-Class Coupe.

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Explains a news release from BMW, “The ‘4’ doesn’t just mark the start of a new cycle, it represents the zenith of a development curve. BMW has given the new model its own individual character and a standalone design – and, in so doing, has turned ‘4’ into segment shorthand for aesthetic and dynamic appeal.”

Have you seen a car like this? BMW is still looking for its stolen 7-Series. Photo Courtesy WXYZ-TV.

If BMW was hoping for an opportunity to demonstrate the benefits of its in-car infotainment system, it missed its chance. So far, an onboard tracking system designed to help it follow a stolen car and guide police to an interception doesn’t seem to be working very well.

The car in question is a $94,000 BMW 7-Series that was being used as a shuttle for company executives and journalists during the media preview at the annual Detroit Auto Show. With most reporters heading back home, the company was packing things up, overnight, rolling the big sedans onto a car carrier for the trip back to corporate headquarters, in New Jersey.

A valet had just pulled up in one of the cars, a grey sedan, license plate ZXY 19R, and was walking over to give the transport driver the keys. Before anyone could say BMW, witnesses say a pair of thieves jumped into the car and drove off.